Liesl Tommy Director, Executive Producer Jennifer Hudson Aretha Franklin Actor, Executive Producer Forest Whitaker Rev. C.L. Franklin Actor Marlon Wayans Ted White Actor Audra McDonald Barbara Franklin Actor Marc Maron Jerry Wexler Actor Tituss Burgess Rev. James Cleveland Actor Mary J. Blige Dinah Washington Actor Saycon Sengbloh Erma Franklin Actor Hailey Kilgore Carolyn Franklin Actor Tate Donovan John Hammond Actor Heather Headley Clara Ward Actor Skye Dakota Turner Young Aretha Actor Tracey Scott Wilson Screenwriter Harvey Mason Jr. Producer Scott Bernstein Producer Jonathan Glickman Producer Stacey Sher Producer Sue Baden-Powell Executive Producer Aaron L. Gilbert Executive Producer Jason Cloth Executive Producer Kramer Morgenthau Cinematographer Avril Beukes Film Editing Kris Bowers Original Music Ina Mayhew Production Design Mark Dillon Art Director MaryBeth McCaffrey-Dillon Art Director Sarah Carter Set Decoration Clint Ramos Costume Design Tiffany Little Canfield Casting Bernard Telsey Casting David Vaccari Casting